Gambling and Brief Interventions

Gambling Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effect of Type and Duration of Therapy on Treatment for Gambling

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00183599
• Other study ID #: 99-205
• Secondary ID: DF#00-121
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: April 1999
• Est. completion date: March 2007

Study information

• Verified date: April 2019
• Source: UConn Health
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will compare four different combinations and durations of motivational enhancement therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and brief advice treatments for gambling versus a non-intervention condition to determine which is most effective in reducing problem gambling.

Description:

Gambling, if done compulsively, can cause psychological, physical, social, and vocational problems. Problem gambling, or compulsive gambling, is a progressive addiction characterized by a preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, and gambling more to make up for losses. This study will compare four different combinations and durations of motivational enhancement therapy (MET), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and brief advice treatments for gambling versus a non-intervention condition to determine which is most effective in reducing problem gambling.

This open-label study will last a total of 9 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 will have no intervention and will be instructed to call if they experience any gambling problems. Group 2 will receive 5 minutes of education on the hazards of heavy gambling. In addition, they will receive a 1-page brochure on problem gambling and its consequences. Group 3 will receive a 1-hour session of MET focused on increasing commitment to change by raising awareness of personal consequences of gambling. Group 4 will receive the same MET session as Group 3, as well as three 1-hour sessions of CBT focused on identifying specific social and mood cues associated with gambling. Treatment will end at Week 4. Participants will have two follow-up sessions held over the phone at Week 6 and again 9 months after enrollment. Gambling behavior, employment status, alcohol and drug use, psychiatric problems, and family problems will be assessed.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 500
• Est. completion date: March 2007
• Est. primary completion date: March 2007
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meets criteria for problem gambling

• Two or more gambling episodes per month for 2 months prior to enrollment

• Has spent at least $50 per month on gambling for 2 months prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any uncontrolled psychiatric conditions

• Severe cognitive impairment

• Currently receiving treatment for gambling

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Gambling

Intervention

Behavioral:
• 5 Minutes of Simple Advice

• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	LMG	Bridgeport	Connecticut
United States	University of Connecticut Health Center	Farmington	Connecticut
United States	CSAC	Hartford	Connecticut
United States	Southern CT State University	New Haven	Connecticut
United States	LMG	Stamford	Connecticut
United States	University of Connecticut	Storrs	Connecticut

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
UConn Health	Donaghue Medical Research Foundation

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Addiction Severity Index (ASI)-gambling severity scores		measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months
Primary	Amount spent gambling		measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months
Primary	Days gambled		measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months
Primary	Proportion meeting problem gambling criteria		measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months
Primary	Proportion abstinent		measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months
Secondary	Psychosocial functioning		measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months